DRUMRIGHT, OK – Central Tech will be hosting a Pond Management class on Friday, July 29 at the Drumright campus from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m for a total cost of $10.

Participants will start class in the Business Development Building, 201 North Settle Drive, but won’t be staying there for long. A tour of three pond sites close to the Drumright campus will happen during this class. “The pond management tour is an opportunity to see ways to improve your pond whether it’s for aesthetics or functionality reasons, that will in turn, increase your property’s value,” said Agribusiness Management Coordinator Whitney Harrison.

The three hour class will give students a working knowledge and checklist to inspect ponds to ensure overall longevity as well as information on tools and resources available through local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offices.

“Many people are not aware of the programs NRCS has available, this will give pond owners a chance to learn and ask questions,” said Harrison.

According to her, attendees will have the opportunity to meet experts with information on a variety of topic.

“Our local NRCS conservationists will be on hand to discuss funding and design resources that they have available to our area producers,” she said.

Other experts participants will have the opportunity to receive advice from include:

• OSU Professor of Natural Resource Ecology and Management and Aquaculture Dr. Marley Been
• Cheryl Cheadle from the Oklahoma Conservation Commission’s Water Quality Blue Thumb Program State Coordinator
• Water Quality Monitoring Specialist with Oklahoma Conservation Commission Wes Shockley.

By DeAnna Maddox, Cushing Citizen

Kent Burris was hired as the fifth superintendent for Central Technology Center. He begins his new position on July 1, 2022.  

Joe Naifeh, board president of Central Tech said, “Kent meets all educational and internal operation qualifications to lead our school. He is well liked by the Central Tech staff, respected by his peers throughout the Oklahoma CareerTech system, and at the state capital. The board is excited for the continuing success of Central Tech under Kent’s leadership and guidance.”  

Burris brings extensive leadership and administrative experience to his position. He began his career at Central Tech in January 1990. He channels his passion for rural economic development through Central Tech and many civic organizations. As a Cushing City Commissioner, Burris helped bring a 960-bed private correctional facility and a new municipal swimming pool to Cushing.  

“I consider it a privilege to have been appointed as the new superintendent. Central Tech has earned a reputation for positively changing lives and ensuring all students have an opportunity to achieve success. I am committed to building upon current practices, empowering staff, and assisting our communities in the development of a quality workforce that boosts the economy,” said Central Tech Superintendent, Kent Burris.  

As an example, Burris conveys, to make students more employable, Central Tech added commercial driver’s license (CDL) to the Diesel and Lineman curriculum through their Truck Driver Training program. The administration feels there are other applications for similar relationships and will be looking for more ways to increase student skill sets. 

“I wholeheartedly value the programs and services in place, and I’m committed to ensuring that current and future students have opportunities to explore their interest and find their passion,” Burris said. 

Burris shares some of his ideas that will continue to move the tech center forward. 

Central Tech feels they do a great job reaching students once they enter the ninth grade, yet they’ve realized young children aren’t exposed to different career paths. They may know what their parents do for a living but don’t realize all the opportunities in front of them. Burris believes reaching children at an earlier age will allow Central Tech to provide exploration and career guidance. 

Tech partners with 18 high schools in the district and is seen as an extension of their curriculum. Some students choose classes that lead to careers, while others see it as an elective or academic credit for graduation. It is also a great opportunity for students in smaller schools who may not have the opportunity to take such classes. 

“Even with the district’s many strengths, this transition of leadership presents an opportunity for positive change and for the district to become even better in the coming years,” said Burris. 

He goes on to say this is a good opportunity to review our organizational chart and make sure it accurately reflects today’s communication style for our district. As organizations grow, it’s easy to become siloed and focus on serving the needs of your own department. Making sure each department has a connection with the others will close the loop on any isolation.  

Central Tech believes education and services are circular, as everyone should be lifelong learners. Simply put, 

• Central Tech educates students who will graduate and join the workforce.  
• Central Tech becomes a resource for growing companies to hire Central Tech graduates.  
• Businesses partner with Central Tech to train their workforce through an addition and/or advancement of skills.  
• Businesses partner with Tech by serving as an advisor to the class and helping determine employability skills and curriculum needs for the industry.  
• Central Tech builds higher market penetration and hopes to one day be a partner to all industries and every business in the district. 

Burris states “We have even more potential in economic development and opportunities to create economic engines in each of our communities through business incubators.” 

Business and Industry Services along with Employment Services departments are in place to plug into communities and schools with career exploration, workforce development, and economic growth.  

They are looking at current workforce needs, will be enhancing opportunities for future graduates, and are already researching what programs will be needed by industry that match student interest. 

This fall Central Tech will open a lineman and a plumbing program. These high demand jobs provide industry certifications that give graduates a quicker route to journeyman. Once research, including advisory input, is complete, more programs will be added over the next several years.  

“I believe under Mr. Burris’ leadership we will see continued growth in the programs and services that reflect the needs of our communities’ businesses and industries,” said Mark Cotner, assistant superintendent of Central Tech. 

It’s a continuous cycle that requires constant feedback from the community and business leaders. When done effectively, Central Tech reaches businesses sometimes before the business knows they need a service. 

Burris is looking forward to the coming years. He says, “It’s great to be part of such commitment to excellence which comes from the strong sense of pride in our staff.”  

He sees Central Tech as the destination of choice when it comes to a place to work. He wants to take it to the next level by investing in all staff, encouraging participation in professional organizations, and increasing staff/family relationships. 

It’s an exciting time for Central Tech and for the communities as they push forward to become the best workforce provider.  

“We know the school will continue to achieve Gold Star status, remain a Top Workplace in Oklahoma, and a top technology center in the country,” said Naifeh.  

Central Tech was recently named to the Top Workplace USA 2022 list for companies with 125-349 employees. The award is based on feedback from an employee engagement survey conducted by an independent, third-part research company, Engergage, and celebrates companies that prioritize creating a people-centered culture and giving employees a voice.

This honor marks the first time Central Tech has been recognized as a Top Workplace in the U.S., and the seventh time the school has been recognized as a Top Workplace in the state of Oklahoma since 2015.

Of the 84 companies that made the Oklahoma list, only 10 earned a more elite accomplishment as being among the best workplaces in the nation. Results were calculated by comparing the survey’s research-based statements, including 15 Culture Drivers that are proven to predict high performance against industry benchmarks.

“Companies need to authentically represent their brand to job-seekers,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “The employee experience needs to be on the mission-critical list. Leaders who embrace a people-first culture will benefit greatly. By giving employees a voice and showcasing your authentic culture through employer branding, organizations can attract those job seekers who complement their culture. Culture drives performance”

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Ron Dyer, superintendent of Central Tech, with campuses in Drumright and Sapulpa, announced his retirement at the February monthly board of education meeting. On June 30, Dyer plans to leave the district after 34 years of service.
 
“It’s been rewarding through the years to work with Central Tech staff as thousands of students have had the opportunity to receive a life changing education,” said Dyer.
 
He was selected by Central Tech Board of Education as the superintendent in 2015. Before taking over, Dyer was the assistant superintendent for 15 years. Prior to that, he worked as a recruiter for the truck driver training program and as a small business instructor.
 
“I have served an incredible board of education that genuinely loves and appreciates Central Tech and is committed to the leadership of the school,” he said.
 
Dyer was instrumental in adding Prue Public Schools to the district. Prue is now one of 18 schools served by Central Tech. He commissioned major improvements to the Sapulpa campus which included a new parking lot, exterior building remodel, the purchase of property for future growth, a new business and industry training building, and exterior signage. Dyer managed through a pandemic where he said the staff went above and beyond to make things work in difficult times.
 
He believes the staff has a true passion for people to succeed. He goes on to say, “They believe in our vision: Everyone achieves success.”
 
Dyer was inducted into the Drumright Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the Drumright Citizen of the Year award in 2001. He kept the Central Tech tradition of receiving the annual Gold Star award, the Oklahoma Top Workplace recognition for the past six years, and recently added an elite honor being named a National Top Workplace for 2022.

Drumright, Oklahoma December 11, 2021 – Central Tech has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2021 honor by The Oklahoman Top Workplaces. The list is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name a few.

“Companies need to authentically represent their brand to job-seekers,” said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. “The employee experience needs to be on the mission-critical list. Leaders who embrace a people-first culture will benefit greatly. By giving employees a voice and showcasing your authentic culture through employer branding, organizations can attract those job seekers who complement their culture. Culture drives performance.”

Central Technology Center, part of the Oklahoma CareerTech system, provides technical education leading to individual success and elevates the workforce through economic development collaborations. Central Tech achieved 95% placement for students entering the workforce or continuing their education. Of those in the workforce, 71% of working graduates are employed in jobs related to their career major. 

Last year CTC had more than 20,000 enrollments and provided customized business and industry training to 400 companies. Training included a wide array of safety classes with an emphasis on tailoring curriculum to meet the needs of each specific industry. 

Since Central Tech works closely with business and industry partners, instruction remains career-focused, teaching today’s career-readiness skills with hands-on relevant learning leading to credentials aligned with business needs. Curriculum incorporates problem solving, critical thinking, and collaboration into the assignments. Students complete their training by earning valuable certifications/licensure driven by the demands of these high-skill industry sectors.

About Energage:

Making the world a better place to work together.™

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 14 years of culture research and the results from 23 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.